Gina's Journey
As most of you know, Gina was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at the age of 2. At that time, the average life expectancy was about 18 years old and we are excited to say that Gina recently celebrated her 30th Birthday on Jan 10th. Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic disease inherited by both parents which have the recessive gene. CF mainly effects lungs and pancreas. It causes a massive amount of mucus to be produced in the lungs. Her body doesn't absorb nutrients and digest food like it should. Enzymes are needed to help her body absorb at least a portion of the food she takes in. She recently married a "crazy-about-her" guy but the newlywed's first year of marriage was not what they expected. Gina spent last summer in the hospital because of pneumonia. She was readmitted for the whole month of December because of low oxygen levels and lung infections. Her lungs have deteriorated significantly. Her lung capacity is less than 20% and is on oxygen 24/7 along with the bi pap machine (oxygen mask) every night. She has been battling this disease her whole life. Gina desperately needs a double lung transplant. Recently Gina went to The University of Washington Medical Center for her initial consultation. The University of Washington is one of the best lung transplant centers in the United States and we are very optimistic.
During the pre-transplant process Gina will need to travel to Seattle over the next few months for testing to be approved for the transplant list. The test consist of anything from Heart Cardiac Testing to Lung Testing measuring her lungs and bronchial tubes for the correct sizing. After all these test are done she will then be placed on a transplant list, and we wait and pray.
This emotional journey is not only overwhelming but financially challenging for Gina. With the cost of a transplant often exceeding $1,000,000, insurance will only cover some of this cost. After Gina's lung transplant, She & John will need to relocate to Seattle for up to 6 months requiring them to leave their home in Spokane. These expenses are mounting very quickly with all the travel, lodging, co-pays & medication etc. Expenses are estimated $40,000-$75,000 even after the insurance picks up some of the cost. This is where Gina needs our support during this journey.Gina is such an amazing person, wife, daughter, sister....to many and friend...to ALL!
Lets show Gina our support by helping her through this journey.
Here are ways to show your support:
Donate Now at http://cota.donorpages.com/PatientOnlineDonation/COTAforGinaM/
Join us at The Melting Pot’s Sip & Dip for CF on May 7th - http://sipanddipforcf.weebly.com/buy-tickets
Play in Golf Tournament July 12th - www.thebigkahunaspokane.com
Buy Thirty-One Totes - www.mythirtyone.com/breatheforgina, choose My Parties. Then, Breathe for Gina Fundraiser.
Breathe for Gina T-Shirt & Bracelets Fundraiser purchase online at - www.sipanddipforcf.weebly.com/store
Create your own Fundraiser
Send Gina words of encouragement & prayers on Facebook “Breathe for Gina” https://www.facebook.com/BreatheforGina
As most of you know, Gina was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at the age of 2. At that time, the average life expectancy was about 18 years old and we are excited to say that Gina recently celebrated her 30th Birthday on Jan 10th. Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic disease inherited by both parents which have the recessive gene. CF mainly effects lungs and pancreas. It causes a massive amount of mucus to be produced in the lungs. Her body doesn't absorb nutrients and digest food like it should. Enzymes are needed to help her body absorb at least a portion of the food she takes in. She recently married a "crazy-about-her" guy but the newlywed's first year of marriage was not what they expected. Gina spent last summer in the hospital because of pneumonia. She was readmitted for the whole month of December because of low oxygen levels and lung infections. Her lungs have deteriorated significantly. Her lung capacity is less than 20% and is on oxygen 24/7 along with the bi pap machine (oxygen mask) every night. She has been battling this disease her whole life. Gina desperately needs a double lung transplant. Recently Gina went to The University of Washington Medical Center for her initial consultation. The University of Washington is one of the best lung transplant centers in the United States and we are very optimistic.
During the pre-transplant process Gina will need to travel to Seattle over the next few months for testing to be approved for the transplant list. The test consist of anything from Heart Cardiac Testing to Lung Testing measuring her lungs and bronchial tubes for the correct sizing. After all these test are done she will then be placed on a transplant list, and we wait and pray.
This emotional journey is not only overwhelming but financially challenging for Gina. With the cost of a transplant often exceeding $1,000,000, insurance will only cover some of this cost. After Gina's lung transplant, She & John will need to relocate to Seattle for up to 6 months requiring them to leave their home in Spokane. These expenses are mounting very quickly with all the travel, lodging, co-pays & medication etc. Expenses are estimated $40,000-$75,000 even after the insurance picks up some of the cost. This is where Gina needs our support during this journey.Gina is such an amazing person, wife, daughter, sister....to many and friend...to ALL!
Lets show Gina our support by helping her through this journey.
Here are ways to show your support:
Donate Now at http://cota.donorpages.com/PatientOnlineDonation/COTAforGinaM/
Join us at The Melting Pot’s Sip & Dip for CF on May 7th - http://sipanddipforcf.weebly.com/buy-tickets
Play in Golf Tournament July 12th - www.thebigkahunaspokane.com
Buy Thirty-One Totes - www.mythirtyone.com/breatheforgina, choose My Parties. Then, Breathe for Gina Fundraiser.
Breathe for Gina T-Shirt & Bracelets Fundraiser purchase online at - www.sipanddipforcf.weebly.com/store
Create your own Fundraiser
Send Gina words of encouragement & prayers on Facebook “Breathe for Gina” https://www.facebook.com/BreatheforGina
Thank You…...
We want to thank everyone who has donated, prayed and supported Gina…….
Our deepest appreciation for your support!
We want to thank everyone who has donated, prayed and supported Gina…….
Our deepest appreciation for your support!
~Facts about Cystic Fibrosis~
Cystic fibrosis is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States (70,000 worldwide). A defective gene and its protein product cause the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus that:
Symptoms of Cystic Fibrosis
People with CF can have a variety of symptoms, including:
Since 1955, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation has been the driving force behind the pursuit of a cure. Thanks to the dedication and financial backing of our supporters — patients, families and friends, clinicians, researchers, volunteers, individual donors, corporations and staff, we are making a difference.
Cystic fibrosis is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States (70,000 worldwide). A defective gene and its protein product cause the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus that:
- clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections; and
- obstructs the pancreas and stops natural enzymes from helping the body break down and absorb food.
Symptoms of Cystic Fibrosis
People with CF can have a variety of symptoms, including:
- very salty-tasting skin;
- persistent coughing, at times with phlegm;
- frequent lung infections;
- wheezing or shortness of breath;
- poor growth/weight gain in spite of a good appetite; and
- frequent greasy, bulky stools or difficulty in bowel movements.
- About 1,000 new cases of cystic fibrosis are diagnosed each year.
- More than 70% of patients are diagnosed by age two.
- More than 45% of the CF patient population is age 18 or older.
- The predicted median age of survival for a person with CF is in the late 30s.
Since 1955, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation has been the driving force behind the pursuit of a cure. Thanks to the dedication and financial backing of our supporters — patients, families and friends, clinicians, researchers, volunteers, individual donors, corporations and staff, we are making a difference.